News
Robotic surgery helps Taylor receive a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games
Apr 17, 2018
For 25 year old Taylor Doyle to make the Commonwealth Games, she needed to overcome her constant pain caused by a genetic condition Tuberous Scleroisis Complex (TSC). She needed a quick plan of action to help her achieve her goal. She had not trained for 18 months, due to constant pain following the Rio Olympics, where she received a silver medal.
She sought advice from Prof Andrew Brooks and Prof Howard Lau, Urologists at Westmead Private Hospital. After discussing the best treatment plan for Taylor Prof Books and Lau made the decision to undertake a partial nephrectomy, using robotic technology in November last year.
This meant less pain, less risk, less scarring and a quicker recovery time for Taylor. Within 8 weeks she was back to training – with her focus on making the Commonwealth Games, driving her in her recovery.
Last week Taylor sent the home crowd into a frenzy when she competed in the T38 long jump and received a Bronze medal.
Without the expertise of local Urological Surgeons Prof Brooks and Lau, Taylor may not have been able to participate and compete again other world-class athletes.
Taylor Doyle Biography
Taylor Doyle set her heart on competing at a Paralympic Games when both her parents carried the torch at Sydney 2000.
Born with an intellectual impairment, Taylor made her international debut at the Special Olympic Games in Athens in 2011, where she won gold in the 4x100m relay and bronze in long jump. She says that winning gold in Athens fuelled her training in the lead-up to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Taylor competed in the long jump final at the 2013 IPC World Championships in Lyon, France, ultimately placing ninth. Although she admits she was hoping to achieve a better result, she relished the opportunity to compete against other world-class athletes.
When Taylor was 21, she underwent surgery intended to stop her epileptic seizures. Although the operation was successful, she acquired a brain injury affecting her mobility and was reclassified as a T38 athlete.
Under coach, Gregory Smith, Taylor competed in long jump and the 100m at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar. She reached the finals in both events, placing fifth and seventh, respectively.
The Oakville local exceeded expectations at the Rio 2016 Games, winning silver in the long jump with a distance of 4.62m.
Eight qualifying marks and a strong performance at the national championships, ensured Taylor was selected for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in the T38 long jump.
Now that she has achieved her ultimate goal of competing at the Games, Taylor is working towards becoming the best athlete she can be and wants to inspire people with similar disabilities to get involved in sport.
Outside of athletics, Taylor enjoys singing and tenpin bowling.
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) affects more than 2000 individuals in Australia and thousands more carers, families and friends who live with the impact of the disease.
TSC tumours can grow in any organ of the body, commonly affecting the brain, skin, heart, lungs and kidneys. TSC can cause epilepsy, developmental delay and autism. There is no known cure for TSC, but with appropriate support most people with TSC can live fulfilling lives.
